Cassandro, the Exotico!

Cassandro, the Exotico! is a fascinating 2018 French documentary biopic directed by Marie Losier. It revolved around the powerful life and career of the legendary gay Mexican wrestler, Cassandro, whose real name is Saúl Armendáriz. This movie shines a light on Cassandro’s personal life, as well as his professional journey, creating a vivid impression of the man behind the mask.

The movie is a beautiful blend of exuberance, flamboyancy, resilience, and emotion as we follow the invincible 'Exotico' through his journey amongst the challenging and macho-driven world of Mexican wrestling, Lucha Libre. The story starts off with Cassandro, a native from El Paso, Texas, who enters the realm of wrestling as a gay man, introducing audiences to the intriguing world of 'Exoticos.' This term refers to a group of wrestlers who are openly gay or choose to fight in drag. They combine flamboyant and extravagant performances with the brutal, physical world of Lucha Libre.

The documentary showcases Cassandro as a sporting pioneer, shifting the perspective of the machismo-laden world of Mexican wrestling towards acceptance, understanding, and even eventual applause. His acrobatic aptitude, captivating personality, as well as the prowess that made him a world champion in a traditionally machismo universe, is captured mesmerizingly by the camera.

The portrait of Cassandro is skillfully painted using a combination of a vibrant 16mm film, which brings a raw and genuine quality to the footage, and intimate hand-held camera work. Additionally, a variety of captivating behind-the-scenes shots provide insight into Cassandro's personal interactions, his flamboyant persona on-stage, the physical toll that wrestling has exerted on his body, and the struggles he faces offstage, grappling with addiction, injuries, and ageing. The startling close-ups of Cassandro help stir the emotional depth and profoundly capture his energy.

The movie further touches upon Cassandro’s internal battle with accepting his homosexuality against the backdrop of a deeply religious upbringing and the highly masculine wrestling environment. His vulnerabilities and brave encounter with his persona bring a relatable and human aspect to the narrative. Off the ring, the audience shares intimate moments with him – his loneliness, his spirituality, trauma from a near-death experience—all showcasing that the charisma of this Exotico persists in various shades.

One of the primary attractions of the film is its energetic nature, reflecting the thrills and spills of Lucha Libre. The wrestling scenes are particularly enjoyable and provide an informative window into this specific niche of the sport, famous for its masked characters, colourful costumes, and high-flying manoeuvres.

Another feature of the film that sticks out is its rhythm. The pacing of the film is just right to engulf the audience in Cassandro's world – both the highs of his in-ring successes and the lows of his personal tribulations. The movie also does a brilliant job in showcasing the gritty and vibrant specifics of a Mexican wrestling event environment.

Cassandro, the Exotico! serves as a triumphant ode to an individual who dared to challenge normative constraints within a culture and a sport that historically favoured machismo. It is a profound chronicle of a strengthened character who has fought hard to make a space for himself within the wrestling world and faced his life's battles with enthusiastic optimism and flamboyance.

In conclusion, Cassandro, the Exotico! is not just a film about a gay wrestler in the macho world of Lucha Libre. It is an inspiring tale of courage, resilience, and recognition. It is about self-revelation and self-acceptance. Most importantly, it is a celebration of Cassandro – both as a wrestling champion and a human being with strengths and flaws, who continues to inspire many across the globe.